Stocks to Watch: AstraZeneca, Furiex, Susser

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are AstraZeneca PLC, Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Susser Holdings Corp.

Pfizer Inc. confirmed Monday that it made a renewed approach to AstraZeneca regarding a takeover valued at nearly $100 billion, but the U.K.-listed pharmaceutical firm had declined to engage in talks. AstraZeneca’s American depositary shares climbed 16% to $79.60 premarket, while Pfizer edged up 2% to $31.35.

Energy Transfer Partners LP on Monday said it reached a deal to buy Susser for about $1.8 billion, as it looks to create a standalone retail business with ETP’s Sunoco Inc. as the centerpiece. Susser shares surged 33% to $76.10 premarket.

Biotechnology company Athersys Inc. said interim results of a mid-stage study of its MultiStem cell therapy for ulcerative colitis failed to show meaningful benefit in certain cases, though the treatment had favorable safety and tolerability. Shares plunged 52% to $1.30 premarket.

Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. reached an agreement for Comcast to divest millions of subscribers, helping it smooth over regulatory concerns involving its $45 billion deal for Time Warner Cable Inc. As part of the agreement, Comcast will divest about 1.4 million existing Time Warner Cable customers directly to Charter for cash. Shares of Charter edged up 1.5% to $132 premarket.

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow pain treatment Sativex, which is used for patients with advanced cancer, to be fast tracked. Shares climbed 10% to $68.53 premarket.

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings said its first-quarter earnings fell 23%, as severe winter weather dented its sales. Results missed expectations, but the company raised its earnings guidance for the year.

Loews Corp. and CNA Financial Corp. each posted a decline in first-quarter profit related to the pending sale of an annuity and pension business. Loews, controlled by the Tisch family, owns 90% of CNA, which usually contributes nearly two-thirds of Loews’ top line.

Chinese solar-products company Renesola Ltd. on Monday said it had appointed Daniel Lee as its chief financial officer, effective May 5. Mr. Lee will take over for Henry Wang, who is resigning May 4 for personal reasons, the company said.